Fantasy Football 2017 - Week 9 Matchups, In-or-Out, Big News

Podcast: Fantasy Footballers - Fantasy Football Podcast
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright
Release Date: November 3, 2017

1. Opening Remarks and Injury Updates (00:00 - 04:00)

The episode kicks off with Andy Holloway addressing the rampant injuries plaguing the fantasy football landscape. The trio highlights significant season-ending injuries to key players such as Andrew Luck, Deshaun Watson, DeAndre Hopkins, Odell Beckham Jr., David Johnson, Darren Sproles, J.J. Watt, and Dalvin Cook. Mike Wright remarks, "Yeah, it's been unbelievable" (01:46) as they delve into the domino effect these injuries have on fantasy rosters.

2. Listener Engagement: Reviews and Giveaways (04:00 - 07:00)

Jason Moore shares a humorous listener review from Kevin, who affectionately describes his fantasy addiction:
"Every day I wake up, go to work, and around 8:30am Pacific Standard Time, I start to get the fantasy shakes." (06:57)
The hosts celebrate their "Foot Clan Friday" giveaway, awarding a $40 gift card to David Fairman (05:31) and encourage listeners to participate via footclangiveaway.com for a chance to win signed jerseys and a championship ring.

3. Thursday Night Football: Lineup Decisions and Injury Reports (08:00 - 23:00)

The hosts transition to discussing Thursday Night Football, focusing on lineup decisions impacted by injuries:

• LaShawn McCoy's Struggles:
  Mike Wright criticizes McCoy's performance, stating, "He caught zero passes targeted one time... absolutely submarines your fantasy team" (08:01).

• DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller's Setbacks:
  Jason Moore emphasizes the difficulty in replacing top wide receivers, saying, "You couldn't even play off of waivers" when discussing Hopkins' injury (03:49).

• Q&A on Player Status:
  The trio debates the status of players like T.J. Yates and Tom Savage, with Mike Wright declaring, "Hogwash" when Jason Moore challenges the validity of Savage's starts (05:47).

4. Fantasy Forecast: Matchup Analyses and Player Recommendations (23:00 - 55:00)

The hosts provide in-depth analyses of upcoming matchups, offering strategic advice for fantasy owners:

a. Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints

• Betting Insights:
  Andy Holloway presents a "hot take," predicting the Bucs will make the game competitive despite the Saints being 7-point favorites (27:13).

• Player Recommendations:
  Jason Moore endorses Ted Ginn for his high upside against a vulnerable Tampa Bay defense, while Mike Wright highlights Adam Humphries as a potentially undervalued asset (30:44).

b. Baltimore Ravens vs. Tennessee Titans

• Defense Focus:
  Mike Wright praises the Titans' run defense, suggesting that DeMarco Murray could capitalize on Baltimore's defensive weaknesses (31:43).

• Running Back Strategy:
  Jason Moore recommends starting Murray, noting his consistent involvement in the offense despite Ravens' defensive prowess (33:09).

c. Washington Redskins vs. Seattle Seahawks

• Quarterback Concerns:
  The hosts express skepticism about Kirk Cousins' performance against the Seahawks' strong defense, advising caution in starting him (35:46).

• Wide Receiver Watch:
  Andy Holloway advises monitoring Vernon Davis due to his potential target increase if Jordan Reed is sidelined (35:44).

d. Arizona Cardinals vs. San Francisco 49ers

• Adrian Peterson's Value:
  Mike Wright underscores Peterson's favorable matchup against the struggling 49ers' run defense, making him a solid start for fantasy managers (38:50).

• Receiver Analysis:
  Jason Moore remains skeptical about San Francisco's wide receivers, opting to focus on running backs like Carlos Hyde for reliable points (40:30).

e. Kansas City Chiefs vs. Dallas Cowboys

• Defensive Matchup:
  Andy Holloway notes the Chiefs' mediocre defense, suggesting Ezekiel Elliott as a dependable start due to his workload (42:19).

• Wide Receiver Picks:
  The hosts recommend starting Tyreek Hill for his explosive potential, despite his fluctuating performances (44:22).

f. Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions

• Running Back Decisions:
  The trio advises benching Ty Montgomery in favor of Aaron Jones, who presents a safer option against a tough Packers run defense (52:05).

• Receiver Strategy:
  Jason Moore recommends starting Marvin Jones over Packers' receivers, citing the Lions' pass defense weaknesses (50:30).

5. Daily Dose: Expert Draft Segment (54:15 - 60:52)

In the "Daily Dose," the hosts engage in an expert draft simulation on draft.comballers, where they select players excluding the top-ranked options:

• Andy Holloway's Picks:
  Chooses Amari Cooper, Derek Carr, Javorius Allen, Eddie Lacy, and Jarvis Landry, resulting in a "B minus" team (55:18).

• Jason Moore's Strategy:
  Opts for Cam Newton, Alex Collins, Kenyon Drake, Sterling Shepard, and Marvin Jones, assessing his team as a "C+ plus" (59:26).

• Mike Wright's Selection:
  Selects Carson Wentz, Tevin Coleman, Marlon Mack, Devonte Parker, and Evan Ingram, rating his team as a "C plus" (59:26).

The segment underscores the challenges of drafting without top-tier players and highlights the importance of strategic selection based on matchups and player potentials.

6. Closing Remarks and Community Engagement (60:52 - End)

Andy Holloway promotes the Fantasy Footballers' community at jointhefoot.com, encouraging listeners to join for game day updates and exclusive content. Mike Wright mentions he will be live on Periscope on Sunday morning for real-time insights (60:33). The hosts wrap up by thanking listeners and reminding them to follow on Twitter at @FFBallers for ongoing fantasy football coverage.

Notable Quotes

• Mike Wright on LaShawn McCoy:
  "He caught zero passes targeted one time which was on like the second drive of the game and absolutely submarines your fantasy team." (08:01)

• Jason Moore's Listener Review:
  "Every day I wake up, go to work, and around 8:30am Pacific Standard Time, I start to get the fantasy shakes." (06:57)

• Andy Holloway on Picking Strategies:
  "If you have to start a wide receiver for either team, who are you taking?" (32:02)

• Mike Wright on Carson Wentz:
  "Do I believe In Carson Wentz vs Denver?" (57:36)

Key Takeaways

• Injury Management: Season-ending injuries are significantly impacting fantasy rosters, necessitating quick adjustments and strategic waiver pickups.

• Player Performance Analysis: The hosts provide nuanced insights into player performances and matchups, emphasizing the importance of understanding both offensive and defensive dynamics.

• Strategic Drafting: The expert draft segment highlights the complexities of drafting without top-ranked players, stressing the need for flexibility and informed decision-making.

• Community Engagement: Active listener participation through reviews and giveaways fosters a strong community, enhancing the overall podcast experience.

Conclusion

This Week 9 episode of the Fantasy Footballers podcast offers a comprehensive analysis of key injuries, matchup forecasts, and strategic advice for fantasy football enthusiasts. With engaging discussions and actionable insights, Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright equip their listeners with the knowledge needed to navigate the ever-evolving fantasy football landscape.

Time Stamps Reference

• Relevant quotes and segments are referenced by their timestamps in the transcript provided.